This week I'll be talking about all the things I learned this week.
It was Spring Break at the university where I work, so I took Monday and Tuesday off. I mostly did a whole lot of adulting chores, but my husband and I went to the Milwaukee Public Museum (a natural history museum) on Monday afternoon. (Did anyone see how I did two quarterly goals with one outing? A new-to-me museum AND a date?)
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| Can we talk about how much makeup it takes for me to look like this completely average looking person?! |
1) There's a big dinosaur skeleton at the museum called a torosaurus. It's from a place called Hell Creek in Montana (doesn't it make you want to visit there?) and the skull is one of the largest non-whale skulls in the world. I was very impressed with the whole thing.
2) There's a theory that Earth once had a ring around it. A big old asteroid or something hit the Earth's moon and the debris formed a ring around the Earth. This ring caused a change in climate (an icehouse event!) and that is what led to the extinction of the dinosaurs. I had never heard of this theory before. I had only heard the one about either a massive volcano/series of volcanoes on Earth itself or an asteroid hitting the planet or the whole thing about the salt level in the oceans changing. Interesting to think that something hitting the moon could have such a huge impact on Earth. (But there is evidence on this very blog that I don't truly understand the relationship between the moon and Earth.) On the other hand, it seems like if the Earth had a ring around it at one point, wouldn't there be some evidence? Or is the dinosaur extinction the evidence? SO MYSTERIOUS!!
3) The second floor of the museum is mostly about the natural environment of the United States (they say "North America," but it's really focused on the US) and indigenous people and cultures. It's also half empty and filled with signs about that Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA). I know a tiny bit about NAGPRA (mostly from reading The Firekeeper's Daughter) and had knots in my stomach a lot while going through this floor.
The MPM is an old museum and a lot of its original collection dates from the Victorian era. There are taxidermized ivory-billed woodpeckers and passenger pigeons. It's not surprising that a lot of the relics that they used for these exhibits were stolen and/or inappropriately displayed, but this didn't reassure me very much as we walked through case after case with missing items.
It was a busy day at the museum, but I don't think we saw more than a dozen people on this floor. I think a lot of people felt the same way I did.
4) On Tuesday, I went to a lecture on plant-based nutrition at the local hospital (do I know how to party on my day off?!) and she put the word kwashiorkor on the board. Do you know this word?
It's basically malnutrition of protein. We don't see it in the US as often - although occasionally you'll see it in nursing homes - as we see things like a lack of fiber (constipation) and even a lack of Vitamin C (scurvy). The woman talking made some argument about not needing to supplement protein if you eat a vegan diet and I'd really like to see how she accomplishes this because it seems impossible to me.
Anyway, we're mostly eating vegetarian, but I do not think I'll ever embrace the vegan lifestyle. It was super interesting to hear about the health benefits, though.
5) Speaking of very much not plant-based food, let's talk about kringle. Kringle is a pastry that I'd never heard of until I moved to Wisconsin. It's based on a Danish pastry and is a type of pretzel, but I'm pretty sure the American version bears little resemblance to the original, although I've never been to Denmark, so if there are any Danes who would like to weigh in, I'm happy to hear about it.
ANYWAY.
Most of the time, the kringle that I see is this oily disgusting stuff (it's out of Racine) and I am a hard pass. But my co-worker brought in this kringle from someplace out of Green Bay/Appleton called Uncle Mike's and this is the absolute best thing I have ever eaten. If you ever find yourself near an Uncle Mike's, do yourself a favor and get a slice of salted caramel. #notallkringleisgross
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Do you get excited when you see dinosaur skeletons? Have you ever had kringle?
I love dinosaurs and would absolutely go to Hell Creek. I had never heard the ring theory though!
ReplyDeleteThat kringle looks fascinating! I am cracking up at the testimonials on the box.
This sounds like a really fun way to spend your days off. And that photo of you and your husband is perfect. You are both adorable.
I'm glad to know the ring theory is new to someone else. It's crazy that we're still coming up with new ways to explain the mass extinction of dinosaurs.
DeleteThats a great picture if you and husband!
ReplyDeleteMy husband's college has a whale skeleton hanging in an atrium- not a dinosaur, true, but so big and magnificent! We stood in front of it for our family Christmas picture one year.
Most of the kringles I see have fruit in them, so I avoid them, and in my state, paczke are more popular.
Glad you had some adventure during your break! - mbmom11
I would love it if there was a big skeleton at the school where I work. What a fun thing to have around!
DeleteThis kringle did not have fruit in it. I think the most popular flavor is almond, so if you find one you might find a non-fruit flavor.
Museum dates are where it's at! We hit up our local natural history museum last month.
ReplyDeleteI don't think I'll ever go vegetarian let alone vegan, but if I did I wouldn't have any hesitation about hitting my protein needs. Protein is in pretty much all foods, Sure, you can find someone out there saying that you need a bazillion grams a day or that animal sources are better than plant, but I'm not sure the research backs that up. My favorite vegan Youtubers, Cheap Lazy Vegan and Sarah's Vegan Kitchen, will occasionally do high protein videos.
My real issue with protein is that when I try to focus on it, I end up not enjoying eating, and wanting to eat anything but high protein foods.
When I went to Racine, Kringles were everywhere, but I'd had lots of other good eats so I didn't have room in my belly to try them. As soon as I got home I noticed that my local grocery store has them - yes the ones from Racine. I still haven't taken the plunge. It's not that I don't want to so much as I don't think I've had a pastry or a donut since I started WFH.
TGIF!
I think the problem with protein is that a lot of meat replacements (like tempeh and tofu) have a lot of soy and we have to really limit how much soy my husband eats. *shrug* If I got rid of dairy AND meat, I would certainly not get enough protein, especially on days when I exercise. I get DOMS enough as it is.
DeleteThe Racine kringles are not good. You didn't miss anything!
You know what? Maybe the Racine kringles are good if you get them fresh from the bakery. I'll have to check that our and report back.
DeleteI did know about kwashiorkor! I remember learning about it in a science class back in the day. There's a book by Margaret Atwood, The Robber Bride, about a woman who fakes a terminal illness, but she really has scurvy and no one knew to look for it.
ReplyDeleteI have, however, never heard of kringle!
I would say I eat about 90% vegan these days. I used to be very strict but for a variety of reasons have relaxed a bit when it comes to dairy. I have never liked eggs but we get them delivered from a local place where the chickens are happy and well-cared for, so I don't always use an egg substitute in my baking. (the guys love eggs and eat them all the time). Even when I was basically 100% vegan I still enjoyed honey. I am at peace with all that and I feel like I have a diet that is healthy, both physically and mentally.
If you ever go to Alberta, you should go to Drumheller - so many dinosaur fossils! Also the hoodoos are very cool.
It is crazy to think about scurvy on ships and the like, too, right? They just didn't know!
DeleteThe main things that would be hard for me to give up if I were to eat vegan would be eggs, yogurt, cheese, and honey. I also tend to get seafood dishes when I eat out with friends and family, but I think I could easily take fish out. Oh, well. I'm with you - I eat mostly plants and legumes and I feel like that's pretty good.
I had to look up what a hoodoo was! I'm learning new words all over the place!!!
There's a town in Texas called "Sour Lake." I mean- who names these places? Hell Creek? Why???
ReplyDeleteI'm surprised I never had Kringle as a kid, because we spent basically every vacation in Appleton WI visiting my grandparents. On the Girl Next Door podcast, Erica is from Racine (I think) and she does talk about Kringle.
So, protein! I've been vegan for years and years and years. When I was pregnant, my midwife had me write down everything I ate for a week. I wasn't taking any kind of protein supplement or shakes or anything, just eating regular food, and she said my protein intake was fine. Then, a few years ago I found out that post-menopausal women actually need MORE protein than pregnant women (WHAT) so now I do drink a protein shake most days, or put some protein powder in my oatmeal, and I'm much more conscious about how much I'm consuming. But I still don't think it's that hard.
I don't know, Jenny. I think I need to know your secrets. I even eat a high-protein yogurt daily and I can't get my protein needs met!
DeleteI've never heard of kringle, but for sure Sheila has me convinced I should try that one.
ReplyDeleteI have, however, been to Montana. I was largely unimpressed, except for when we were stopped by a vast herd of cattle on the road. My father, who was very impatient, thought honking the horn would somehow help. It didn't. Instead, we were surrounded, and a cow actually stuck its head through the window of the car (we had no air conditioning and yes, of course it was August). I was delighted.
I love the picture of you and your husband. You both look so content and happy to be together. And I think it's good that the museum has those notices in the cases. Not only does it do them credit, but it's important to educate visitors that Real People are behind some artifacts, and they need to be respected.
Sheila is a great spokesperson for Uncle Mike's. She sold me, too.
DeleteI am glad the museum is acknowledging its past mistakes. It's just hard knowing that those artifacts were there for years? decades? when they shouldn't have been. *sigh* I am glad I do not work in curation at a museum like that.
Trader Joe's always has Kringle for sale so I assumed everyone knew what it was! The almond filling is my favorite.
ReplyDeleteUgh. Trader Joe's is my nemesis! They have terrible parking lots. LOL. Gluten Free Watchdog also has found that a lot of their items that are labelled gluten free have tested for gluten, so I do not trust them.
DeleteYour hubby and I have similar patterned beards. At almost 78, mine is still not all grey. My hair too.
ReplyDeleteMy husband has very little hair left, but what is there is very dark still. I'm curious when/if it will turn grey.
DeleteKwashiorkor is a new word for me, too. I understand how lack of protein in your diet could happen so OF COURSE there's a word for it. The photo of you and your husband is wonderful. Your smiles are contagious.
ReplyDeleteThanks! He was a good sport to take that photo with me.
DeleteI have heard of Kringle but have never had it!
ReplyDeleteI have not seen a dinosaur skeleton in such a long time but my boys would be thrilled to see one since they are both so interested in dinosaurs. I am planning to take Will to Chicago in June and we might go to the field museum - I know he'd be so excited about the dino skeleton they have!
The Field Museum is SO MUCH FUN. I went with my mom and sister a few years back and I was surprised at how much fun I thought it was as an adult.
DeleteI’m from Montana, but a long way from the Hell Creek area. I’m about 350 miles away, which is about a 6 hour drive. I’ve never been there. Apparently people can sign up for a 3- day dinosaur dig for $1150! I think I’ll pass, but I can see how some people would love that kind of adventure. (Very rustic!)
ReplyDeleteI would be very interested in a dino dig! What fun!
DeleteTara came home one day recently raving about Uncle Mike's kringle after a coworker brought it in. I've yet to try it, but we're planning a day trip to Racine soon, so that's on my list!
ReplyDeleteAnd, who doesn't love dinosaur bones?!
Ugh. The Racine kringle has not been delicious in my experience, but you do you. Uncle Mike's is in the Green Bay/Appleton area.
DeleteI do love dinosaurs - I love our natural history museum here and Drumheller.
ReplyDeleteI have never had kringle.
I did not know the kwashkioriririrloi word that I'm not scrolling back up to see. I do NOT see how you can eat a vegan diet and not supplement protein - did she say how? Seems remiss in a lecture literally about this protein malnutrition thing if she didn't.
Say what you want, there's an art to wearing a lot of makeup and not looking like you're wearing makeup - I don't know it, but clearly you do.
In her defense, the talk was about plant-based eating and her argument was that vegans don't suffer from protein malnutrition because no one does. Cows and gorillas eat vegan and they don't have a problem with it - we can get all the protein we need from a vegan diet. She didn't really go into details about the macronutrients of a vegan diet. I think maybe in her next lecture?
DeleteI had Kringle when I visited Kim last year! I can't remember where we got it, though. I know it was from some sort of grocery store bakery and I really liked it. I think we got cherry and almond flavors and both were delicious. But now I need to try this other brand!
ReplyDeleteThank goodness Kim introduced you to such a classic Wisconsin item. Did you have cheese curds, too?
DeleteWhat a cute date photo of you two, Engie!
ReplyDeleteI would get all excited about dino skeletons too--they're so awe-inspiring. I love the huge ones where you get to walk under and through them...
I've had a Kringle once. Never again. (I'm very picky about baked goods though and prefer airy stuff to stodgy stuff.)
Most kringle I've had has been very skippable. But this one was good, I promise!
DeleteThat sounds like a fun week, and two items checked off! Yay! Your Kringle looks very sweet, which is not really my thing, but I would try it at least once of course! When I was in New Orleans, King Cake was a big thing during Epiphany and the lead up to Mardi Gras, but I was not a huge fan. However, in some stores there would be lines out the door! I guess everyone gets used to what they get used to!
ReplyDeleteYeah, it was very sweet, but because it was salted caramel and had pecans on it, it was a good balance, I thought!
DeleteA road trip to Uncle Mike's is now on our list. 💜
ReplyDeleteYou will not be disappointed!
DeleteI have had Kringle and love it when I do, but you don't see it around here often. And I find the dino bones and such fascinating. Our museum is closed for remodel but a few years we took the Littles there and it was fun to see them gape!
ReplyDeleteI'd never even heard of kringle until I moved here! It's at all the grocery stores. I love hearing about local pastries.
DeleteOh those Kringles look good. I've been to Denmark many times their pastries are amazing.. I will have to see if I can find Kringles locally around my area here in Canada. (btw, that is a very cute photo of you, so much beyond average looking for sure :)
ReplyDeleteOh, wow! I didn't know Denmark was known for its pastries. You learn new things every day!
DeleteI like dinosaur bones but find the taxidermy animals depressing as fuck. The first time I was in a natural history museum and it HIT ME that all of those animals, including the babies in their mother's arms, had been murdered so they could be stuffed, I almost threw up and I definitely cried a lot. You'd think I'd be vegetarian, but nope, I eat murdered animals all the time.
ReplyDeleteI have never heard the ring around the Earth theory, I always thought the Gulf of Mexico was formed by the asteroid that wiped out the dinosaurs. I wonder where I got that idea? Hmmm.
I love the picture of you and your husband, you're both adorable.
Does it make you feel better to think that maybe some of the taxidermized animals died natural deaths? No, probably not. It doesn't make me feel better either.
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